U.S. patent application number 14/867739 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-30 for multi-contact audio jack connector assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is David J. Polinski. Invention is credited to David J. Polinski.
Application Number | 20170093098 14/867739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56979692 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170093098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Polinski; David J. |
March 30, 2017 |
Multi-Contact Audio Jack Connector Assembly
Abstract
Disclosed is an audio jack assembly that reduces or eliminates
signal loss with an audio jack by reducing or eliminating the
resistance with a conventional audio plug. The jack assembly
employs a support housing having a passageway sized to receive the
audio plug with an insulated first connector having first and
second terminal strips, each formed integral to a first disk base
and positioned to engage the grooved tip of an audio plug when
engaged. A second isolated connector includes first and second
terminal strips positioned to engage each side of a sleeve when the
audio plug is engaged. The second connector is electrically
isolated from the first connector wherein the second connector is
fastened to the support housing securing the first connector
therebetween.
Inventors: |
Polinski; David J.; (Stuart,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Polinski; David J. |
Stuart |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56979692 |
Appl. No.: |
14/867739 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 13/111 20130101;
H01R 2103/00 20130101; H01R 24/40 20130101; H01R 2105/00 20130101;
H01R 2107/00 20130101; H01R 24/58 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 24/58 20060101
H01R024/58 |
Claims
1. An audio jack assembly for receiving a conventional audio plug
having a cylindrical shaped sleeve with a grooved tip electrically
isolated from said sleeve, said audio jack assembly comprising: a
support housing having a passageway sized to receive the audio
plug, said support housing having an entry collar, a support
surface adjoining said entry collar, and a mounting collar
adjoining said support surface; a first insulating ring
positionable on said mounting collar; a first connector having a
first disk base with a centrally disposed aperture, said first disk
base supporting first and second terminal strips each having a
proximal end formed integral with said first disk base and
extending obliquely from an outer edge of said first disk base to a
distal end positioned to symmetrically engage the grooved tip of an
audio plug from either side of said aperture to provide contact
with opposite sides of the grooved tip when an audio plug is
engaged, said first connector positionable on said mounting collar
and electrically isolated from said support surface by said first
insulating ring; a second insulating ring positionable on said
mounting collar; a second connector having a second disk base with
a centrally disposed aperture and first and second terminal strips
each having a proximal end extending obliquely from an outer edge
of said second disk base to a distal end positioned to
symmetrically engage said sleeve from either side of said aperture
to provide contact with opposite sides of the shaft when the audio
plug is engaged, said second connector positionable on said
mounting collar and electrically isolated from said first connector
by said second insulating ring; wherein said second connector is
fastened to said support housing, securing said first connector
therebetween.
2. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said entry
collar has a first diameter, said support surface has a second
diameter, and said mounting collar has a third diameter, said
second diameter greater than said first diameter.
3. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
mounting collar is shaped and said aperture of said second
connector includes a reciprocal shape for securing to said mounting
collar.
4. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein first
insulating ring includes a centrally disposed opening sized to fit
over said mounting collar.
5. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said second
insulating ring includes a centrally disposed opening sized to fit
over said mounting collar.
6. The audio plug assembly according to claim 6 wherein said second
insulating ring includes an outer edge having at least one notch
for receipt of at least one terminal, said notch maintaining said
terminal strip in predetermined axial alignment.
7. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said distal
ends of each said first connector terminal strip includes a scallop
shape constructed and arranged to engage a section of said
sleeve.
8. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said distal
ends of each said second connector terminal strip includes said
scallop shape constructed and arranged to engage a section of said
groove.
9. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the field of connectors used for
audio signals, and in particular to an improved audio jack
connector assembly having multiple contacts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Audio jacks, also referred to as phone connectors, phone
jacks, or jack plugs are typically used in connector assemblies for
carrying audio signals. Dating back to the late 1800's, the audio
jack is one of the oldest electrical standards still in existence.
The audio jack is the preferred connector for use in the music
industry based upon a 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) plug diameter which
provides a robust assembly that can be reused indefinitely.
[0003] The size of the audio jack makes it easy to grasp without
tools, and it cannot be bent if stepped upon or otherwise used in a
manner expected of insertion and removal. For this reason the audio
jack is the preferred connector for use with electric guitars,
microphones, speakers, amplifiers, line levelers and like equipment
found in the music industry, primarily audio signal transmission.
The audio jack is cylindrical in shape having two, three or four
contacts.
[0004] Unique to the audio jack is the amount of surface area that
is provided by a cylindrical plug. However, the connector to which
the plug engages is typically a single prong having a single point
of contact. The single point of contact can become problematic as
it needs to press against the plug in order to create a connection.
The greater force the contact imparts upon the plug, the better the
electrical connection; however the higher the stress placed upon
the connector, which can cause the ground connector to be off
center and lose contact. If the electrical contact is de minimus,
the ability to transfer an electrical signal is reduced. The
conventional electrical contacts employed to engage the plug
provide very little contact surface, which results in poor audio
quality.
[0005] Numerous attempts have been made to improve upon the audio
jack. U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,855 describes an audio jack connector
having an insulating housing and a passageway. A contacting
terminal is disposed on a side of the passageway having a holding
portion and two contacting pieces slanted toward the same side
separately from two opposite ends of the holding portion. A first
fixing terminal, arranged on a side of the passageway, adjacent to
the contacting terminal, has a first fixing slice. The first fixing
slice has a side extended obliquely to form a first contacting
piece connecting with one contacting piece. A second fixing
terminal placed on an opposite side of the passageway has a second
fixing slice, a second contacting piece obliquely connected with
the second fixing slice for connecting with the other contacting
piece. The contacting pieces are forced to slide on and depart from
the first contacting piece and the second contacting piece when the
contacting terminal is elastically pushed by the inserted plug.
[0006] U.S. Publication No. 2007/0232150 describes an audio jack
connector includes a housing and a set of contacts. The housing has
a body, a mating portion extending from one end of the body, and an
insertion hole defined in the mating portion and extending inwardly
through the body along an axis direction. The set of contacts
includes signal contacts, a set of switching contacts disposed in
the housing, and an exposed contact disposed at the outside of the
housing. The switching contacts have a fixed contact and a movable
contact. The mating portion of the housing has a cavity defined at
an outer surface thereof for receiving a contacting portion of the
exposed contact. The contacting portion has a propping block
protruding outwardly beyond the outer surface of the mating
portion.
[0007] U.S. Publication No. 2009/0298347 describes an audio jack
connector which is suitable for selectively engaging with either a
first multi-pole plug or a second multi-pole plug having more poles
than the first multi-pole plug. Each of the multi-pole plugs has a
plurality of poles insulated with each other by insulating rings
arranged thereinbetween. The audio jack connector includes an
insulating housing having a chamber extending inward from a front
thereof, and terminal groups. The terminal groups are disposed in
the corresponding grooves and project into the chamber. When either
of the first and the second multi-pole plugs is respectively
inserted into the chamber, the terminal groups are against the
multi-pole plug, wherein at least one of the terminal groups is
against one of the insulating rings of the first multi-pole
plug.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,899 discloses a connecting sleeve spring
resiliently mounted in a connecting sleeve of an electrical
connecting jack. The connecting sleeve spring has a arcuate
sinusoid-like side profile, with its two ends curving in a
direction opposite the curve of a center contact portion. The
center portion has an inwardly angled tongue. When a plug having a
collar is inserted into the electrical connecting jack, the collar
comes in contact with the tongue and pushes the central contact
portion inward, thus forcing the two ends of the connecting sleeve
spring to move outward. The two ends press against the inner
periphery of the collar.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,380 discloses a multipolar electrical
connector that, as a counter connector 90, uses a single-head plug
having a pole shaft in which center poles are disposed in plural
positions in the axial direction, respectively (hereinafter,
referred to merely as "multipolar connector"). In the invention,
plural predetermined contact pieces are incorporated into the body,
so that plural poles are ensured by the predetermined contact
pieces. A required number of first additional contact pieces and
second additional contact pieces are placed on the outer and inner
peripheral sides of the boss portion, so that two or more poles are
ensured by the additional contact pieces. According to the
invention, therefore, the number of poles is increased by that of
poles which are formed by the additional contact pieces.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,687 discloses an audio jack connector
comprising a rectangular-shaped insulating housing, and a plurality
of different contacts. The insulative housing has a base and a
mating portion. A channel extends through the base and the mating
portion. A front end of the channel defines a gap, and a number of
receiving slits defined on the base at two sides of the channel,
the base defining a depression communicating with the channel at a
top wall thereof. A first and a second contact are received in the
slits. A third contact mates with the top wall and comprises a
mounting portion extending beyond the bottom wall of the insulative
housing. A fourth contact is installed in a front end of the
insulative housing and has an engaging portion extending through
the gap and inserted into the front end of the channel for
electrically connecting the mating plug connector.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,872 discloses an audio jack connector
which includes a housing and a terminal group. The housing has an
insertion hole extending inward from the front of the housing. The
bottom of the base defines at least one signal terminal recess and
an auxiliary terminal recess, a first aperture is defined in the
bottom of the auxiliary terminal recess and communicates with the
signal terminal recess. The terminal group has at least one signal
terminal and an auxiliary terminal received in the signal terminal
recess and the auxiliary terminal recess respectively. The signal
terminal has a contact portion projecting into the insertion hole
and an elastic portion extending from the end of the contact
portion.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 7,785,119 discloses an audio jack connector
having an insulating housing defining a rectangular base. The base
has a passageway passing therethrough for receiving an inserted
audio plug connector. A channel is formed at a top surface of the
base for communicating with the passageway. A set of switch
terminals mounted to the insulating housing comprise an elastic
terminal and a fixing terminal. The elastic terminal has a first
top plate and a switch arm extended outward from the first top
plate, with a free end thereof projecting into the passageway
through the channel. The fixing terminal has a second top plate
disposed above the channel. The second top plate has a pair of
cantilever switch slices extending toward each other and
perpendicular to an extending direction of the switch arm, with
free ends thereof suspended over the free end of the switch arm and
spaced from each other.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 7,794,285 discloses an audio jack connector
for receiving an audio plug connector which includes an insulating
housing and a contact terminal. The insulating housing defines an
insertion hole from a front end to a rear end thereof for receiving
the audio plug connector and a recess communicating with the
insertion hole. The contact terminal has a connecting portion
received in the recess. Two opposite ends of the connecting portion
are extended towards a same side to form a base portion and a first
elastic arm. A first contact portion is protruded towards the base
portion from a free end of the first elastic arm. A second elastic
arm is bent towards the connecting portion from one end of the base
portion. A second contact portion is protruded towards the first
elastic arm from a free end of the second elastic arm. The first
and second contact portions protrude into the insertion hole.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 8,801,476 discloses an electrical contact of
an audio jack connector including a main portion, a soldering
portion bending from a lateral edge of the main portion, an elastic
portion extending curvedly from a distal end of the main portion to
be located above the main portion. The elastic portion has a
flexible beam, a first arm extending upwardly from the flexible
beam and a second arm curvedly bending from the first arm. The
first arm is consistent with a direction along which an audio plug
connector is inserted. The second arm is adverse to a direction
along which the audio plug connector is withdrawn.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 8,888,537 discloses an improved electronic
audio receptacle connector which employs contacts that have
multiple points of contact with a mating audio plug. The contacts
each have multiple segments, each segment having a plurality of
transverse fingers that interface with a conductive portion of the
audio plug. The multiple points of contact improve the reliability
of the receptacle connector. The housing of the receptacle
connector may be made of two portions mated along an interface. The
two portions may have features along the interface to impede
moisture ingression and to interlock them together. U.S. Pat. No.
D607,834 discloses an ornamental design for a contact of audio jack
connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Disclosed is an audio jack assembly for receiving a
conventional audio plug comprising a support housing having a
passageway sized to receive the audio plug. The support housing has
an insulated first connector having first and second terminal
strips each having a proximal end formed integral to a first disk
base and extending obliquely and symmetrically to a distal end. The
distal end of the terminal strips are positioned to engage the
grooved tip of an inserted audio plug/A second isolated connector
with first and second terminal strips each having a proximal end
extending obliquely and symmetrically from an outer edge of second
disk base to a distal end are positioned to engage the sleeve of
the audio plug. The second connector is positionable on the
mounting collar and electrically isolated from the first connector
wherein the second connector is fastened to the support housing
securing said first connector therebetween.
[0017] An objective of the instant invention is to provide an audio
jack assembly that reduces or eliminates signal loss between the
jack receptacle and a conventional audio plug.
[0018] Another objective of the invention is to provide an audio
jack assembly that employs connectors formed integral with a common
base to provide a uniform clamp pressure on the sleeve and grooved
tip of an audio plug.
[0019] Yet still another objective of the invention is to provide
an audio jack assembly that employs a metal bias with four
terminals spaced 90 degrees apart to provide a consistent pressure
gradient upon an engaged audio plug.
[0020] Still another objective of the invention is to provide an
audio jack assembly having scalloped terminals for engaging a
larger surface area of an audio plug to assure a resistance free
connection.
[0021] Yet still another objective of the invention is to provide
an audio jack assembly having terminals that are maintained in
position by a notched insulator ring.
[0022] Still another objective of the invention is to provide an
audio jack assembly that is compact in size and easy to
assemble.
[0023] Yet still another objective of the invention is to provide
an audio jack assembly design that can be scaled from 1/4 inch, 1/8
inch, and micro sizes.
[0024] Other objectives and further advantages and benefits
associated with this invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art from the description, examples and claims which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the audio jack assembly with
a plug inserted;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the audio jack assembly;
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the audio jack;
[0028] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the first connector; and
[0029] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the second connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed
herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and
structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0031] Now referring to the drawings, set forth is an audio jack
assembly 10 for receiving a conventional audio plug 100. The audio
plug 100 that the audio jack assembly 10 utilizes is a cylindrical
shaped sleeve 102 having a pointed tip 104 separated from the
sleeve 102 by an insulating ring 106. The audio plug is a
conventional 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) plug that has been an industry
standard for over a century. The depicted audio plug 100 includes a
groove 108 formed in the tip 104, which operates as a detent and is
commonly used for securing the audio plug 100 into a receiving jack
assembly.
[0032] The instant invention is directed to an improved audio jack
assembly 10, which consists of a support housing 20 having an entry
collar 22 which is circular in shape and may include threads 24 for
securement to a facade, not shown, commonly found on audio
equipment. The threads 24 are used to secure to a securement nut,
also not shown, which is a commonly known method of securement. A
support surface 26 having an upper surface 28 adjoins the entry
collar 22. The upper surface 28 may include friction induced
surface that aids in mounting of the assembly to prevent spinning
of the support housing while being threaded. The support surface 26
has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the entry
collar 22 for an adjoining mounting collar 30. In this manner, the
support housing having the upper surface 28 is used for engaging
the remainder of the jack assembly, and the lower surface 32 is
used for engaging the facade of a mounting mechanism. The support
housing has a passageway 34 extending through the mounting collar
30, the support surface 26, and the entry collar 22 to allow
passage of the tip 104 and sleeve 102 until the support housing 20
engages the base 111 of the audio plug 100. The upper portion of
the mounting collar 30 is shaped 36 to frictionally engage, or is
threaded for use in fastening, to a second connector 122, as later
described in this disclosure.
[0033] A support ring 40 is positionable over the mounting collar
30 having a centrally disposed aperture 42 that is sized to be
placed over the mounting collar 30 with an outer edge 44 of a
diameter so as to provide extended support to the support surface
20 allowing a minimal footprint when mounting to a facade. The
support ring 40 is preferably made out of a metal or rigid fiber
material to provide extended support. A first insulating ring 50 is
positionable over the support ring 40, and is made of a
non-conductive material such as rubber, cork, paper, plastic or the
like. The first insulating ring 50 is further positionable over the
mounting collar 30, having a central aperture 52 sized for
placement over the mounting collar and an outer edge 54 of a
diameter so as to make use of the support surface provided by the
support ring 40, and for support of the first connector 60. The
first connector 60 is formed from a disk base 62, having a
centrally disposed aperture 64, formed integral with a first
terminal strip 66 and a second terminal strip 68. Each of the
terminal strips 66, 68 extend obliquely and symmetrically from an
outer edge 70 of the first disk base 62, with the first terminal
strip 66 having a proximal end 72 extending from first disk base 62
to a distal end 74; the second terminal strip 78 having a proximal
end 76 extending to a distal end 78 forming a mirror image of the
first terminal strip 66. The first and second terminal strips 66,
68 have a length from the distal end to the proximal end sized to
engage a groove 108 on the audio plug 100. As illustrated, the
first and second terminal strips are biased inward to provide a
uniform clamping against the groove, and include scallop formations
depicted as numerals 80 and 82 which are constructed and arranged
to grasp a portion of the groove, creating a semi-circular
attachment to the groove 108 to provide contact not only with the
groove, but with the tip section 110 directly above the groove 108.
The first connector 60 includes a coupling tab 84, of which a wire
may be secured thereto. The tab 84 provides a resistant-free
connection to the first and second terminal strips 66 and 68, and
positive engagement to the audio jack 100 through electrically
coupling to the groove 108.
[0034] A second insulating ring 90 is made of a non-conductive
material, having a centrally disposed aperture 92 and an outer edge
94 having terminal strip sections 96, 98 for receipt of terminal
strips 66, 68. The terminal strips 66, 68 maintain second
insulating ring 90 in a fixed position. An alignment section 120 is
provided for receipt of a second connector 122, having an alignment
tab 124. The alignment tab 124 is positionable within alignment
section 120 so as to maintain the first and second terminal strips
66, 68 at right angles to terminal strips 126, 128 of the second
connector 122, the alignment tab 124 extending downward so to
engage alignment section 120 to prevent movement of the insulating
ring 90, and thus the first connector 60.
[0035] Terminal strips 126, 128 are each based upon a second disk
base 130 having an inner aperture 132 which frictionally engages
the shaped edge 36 of the upper portion of the mounting collar 30,
securing the rings 40, 50 and 90, and connectors 60 and 122 to the
support housing 20. The second connector 122 can be snapped onto
the support housing 20, or threaded onto the support housing if the
aperture 132 has threads to meet reciprocal threads that can be
formed on the shaped section 36 of the mounting collar 30. The
terminal strip 126 has a proximal end 134 and a distal end 136 of a
length so as to engage sleeve 102 of the audio plug 100. Similarly,
terminal strip 128 has a proximal end 140 and a distal end 142 with
both distal ends 136, 142 having a scalloped facade 144 and 152, so
as to engage the larger surface area of the sleeve 102. Each
scalloped facade 144 and 152 is arranged to impact a greater
portion of the sleeve 102 to eliminate resistance between the
terminal contacts.
[0036] The second connector 122 includes a tab 148 for securement
to an electrical wire for carrying of audio signals. In this
manner, the sleeve can be a negative connection and the second
connector 122 recipient of the negative connection. The tip 110 may
be a positive connection, and the first connector 60 the recipient
of the positive connection.
[0037] For ease of clarification, a 1/4 inch plug and audio jack
assembly has been disclosed and illustrated. However, it is obvious
to one skilled in the art and to be understood that the audio jack
assembly illustrated can be scaled to received 1/8 inch plug or
micro plug sizes using the same terminal configuration. The claims
of this invention are not limited to the size of plug and are
applicable to 1/4 inch, 1/8 inch, or micro plugs.
[0038] All patents and publications mentioned in this specification
are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which
the invention pertains. It is to be understood that while a certain
form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to
the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes
may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and
the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and
described in the specification and any drawings/figures included
herein.
[0039] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and
obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent
therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques
described herein are presently representative of the preferred
embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as
limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur
to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit
of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended
claims. Although the invention has been described in connection
with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that
the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such
specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the
described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to
those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the
following claims. The term "coupled" is defined as connected,
although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily
mechanically.
* * * * *